Tuesday, June 13, 2006
I want to be (insert profession here) when I grow up
Recently I was intrigued with a newspaper report. They are going to start a course which teaches students how to deal. Deal as in cards. Shuffling, gambling etc. It's not a couselling course where they deal with issues (though that would be pretty interesting too). It costs S$4500 for a 6 month (or 12 month, can't remember) course where they teach you everything there is to know about working in a casino. Although you end up with a certification, they do stop short of guaranteeing a place in the soon to be open Integrated Resort (IR).
I thought it was pretty cool. I have always been attracted to the unconventional. Unfortunately, I guess I am born in the wrong place. Being in PRACTICAL Singapore, I have been told many a time that "no, don't do this, don't do that, cannot survive in Singapore, the playing field is too small" blah blah blah... god.. how tiresome
Once upon a time, I had wanted to be a marine biologist. Yeah. Cool job. Swim with sharks and other sea animals. Learn how to preserve their presence for the next generation. Do something that's meaningful and for a good cause, yet at the same time, enjoy it: sun, sand, sea. But that went kaputt because studying the subject meant that i had to go overseas. Add to that the chances that i will most likely not even return (because to be in that line, Singapore just didn't cut it... unless u see urself working in the underwater World all your life). My parents were dead against that (yes yes... havoc daughter... ). So that dream sunk to the bottom of the sea... *blub blub blub*. And up to this day, they are against me taking diving lessons...
Bartending was another passion. I like the idea of experimenting: mixing different poisons to get something unique. Of course the fun part was testing it out. Not to mention the different pretty hues and techniques used (eg frosting the glass, getting the layers etc). I also thought it was pretty cool to do all those juggling and throwing of bottles. And to me, bartending will let you meet people from all walks of life. And to a certain extent, what you make, helps to make them happy (get high, forget stuff etc). That's public service! I remember going to the library to borrow books on different cocktails, their recipes and how to make them and what kind of glasses to serve them in. I even bought the cocktail shaker and measuring apparatus. Of course I stopped short of trying to do the juggling act. I think Dad won't be too pleased to find missing bottles of Smirnoff vodka gone from his liquor stash... in one day... and it would be a real waste!
But of course, the job got family disapproval. They didn't think it was a decent profession for a female; they felt that the working environment was seedy; they felt that the working hours were unhealthy; they felt the pay was meagre; they felt that there was no future prospects... In one word: NO. Sigh... so with that, bartending went down the drain and I have to be content with nursing my drinks instead of making them.
Then came the aspiration to be a DJ. I like the idea of playing music and talking on air. Of course, that fell short as well. Dad felt that there were no prospects and the playing field wasn't big enough. I guess he didn't see the possibility that as a DJ you could be host as well, or even start your own events company. Look at the likes of Joe Augustin, Hamish Brown, The Flying Dutchmen and even Desmond Koh. They all have very successful careers, and it's still growing...
I guess I haven't found a passion that has made me want to go all out for it. To defy even my parents and prove them wrong. I know they are protective and have my best interests. But sometimes I ponder over the " What If" factor... what if I had taken that route? Would I be more successful now? Would I be enjoying what I am doing? At least there's a purpose. Right now, it's more for the daily dole... Nothing else. There's a certain part of me that regrets studying marketing. The safest route. The one which will ensure some form of employability. Was that really my calling? Am I enjoying it? Or is it really just a skill set to prepare for retirement?
What if I had gone overseas to study? I'm pretty sure things would be different. My life would be different. In fact, it may have been better and not worse. Perhaps, ironically, I would have found the true meaning of family ties and become closer instead of being detached. Perhaps I would learn more about being thrifty, or maybe be even more independent. And what makes them so sure that I will end up with an ang moh??? For all you know, I will be more greatful for local guys.. Jeez...
Oh well... it's time to start looking for that undiscovered passion... before it's really too late.
I thought it was pretty cool. I have always been attracted to the unconventional. Unfortunately, I guess I am born in the wrong place. Being in PRACTICAL Singapore, I have been told many a time that "no, don't do this, don't do that, cannot survive in Singapore, the playing field is too small" blah blah blah... god.. how tiresome
Once upon a time, I had wanted to be a marine biologist. Yeah. Cool job. Swim with sharks and other sea animals. Learn how to preserve their presence for the next generation. Do something that's meaningful and for a good cause, yet at the same time, enjoy it: sun, sand, sea. But that went kaputt because studying the subject meant that i had to go overseas. Add to that the chances that i will most likely not even return (because to be in that line, Singapore just didn't cut it... unless u see urself working in the underwater World all your life). My parents were dead against that (yes yes... havoc daughter... ). So that dream sunk to the bottom of the sea... *blub blub blub*. And up to this day, they are against me taking diving lessons...
Bartending was another passion. I like the idea of experimenting: mixing different poisons to get something unique. Of course the fun part was testing it out. Not to mention the different pretty hues and techniques used (eg frosting the glass, getting the layers etc). I also thought it was pretty cool to do all those juggling and throwing of bottles. And to me, bartending will let you meet people from all walks of life. And to a certain extent, what you make, helps to make them happy (get high, forget stuff etc). That's public service! I remember going to the library to borrow books on different cocktails, their recipes and how to make them and what kind of glasses to serve them in. I even bought the cocktail shaker and measuring apparatus. Of course I stopped short of trying to do the juggling act. I think Dad won't be too pleased to find missing bottles of Smirnoff vodka gone from his liquor stash... in one day... and it would be a real waste!
But of course, the job got family disapproval. They didn't think it was a decent profession for a female; they felt that the working environment was seedy; they felt that the working hours were unhealthy; they felt the pay was meagre; they felt that there was no future prospects... In one word: NO. Sigh... so with that, bartending went down the drain and I have to be content with nursing my drinks instead of making them.
Then came the aspiration to be a DJ. I like the idea of playing music and talking on air. Of course, that fell short as well. Dad felt that there were no prospects and the playing field wasn't big enough. I guess he didn't see the possibility that as a DJ you could be host as well, or even start your own events company. Look at the likes of Joe Augustin, Hamish Brown, The Flying Dutchmen and even Desmond Koh. They all have very successful careers, and it's still growing...
I guess I haven't found a passion that has made me want to go all out for it. To defy even my parents and prove them wrong. I know they are protective and have my best interests. But sometimes I ponder over the " What If" factor... what if I had taken that route? Would I be more successful now? Would I be enjoying what I am doing? At least there's a purpose. Right now, it's more for the daily dole... Nothing else. There's a certain part of me that regrets studying marketing. The safest route. The one which will ensure some form of employability. Was that really my calling? Am I enjoying it? Or is it really just a skill set to prepare for retirement?
What if I had gone overseas to study? I'm pretty sure things would be different. My life would be different. In fact, it may have been better and not worse. Perhaps, ironically, I would have found the true meaning of family ties and become closer instead of being detached. Perhaps I would learn more about being thrifty, or maybe be even more independent. And what makes them so sure that I will end up with an ang moh??? For all you know, I will be more greatful for local guys.. Jeez...
Oh well... it's time to start looking for that undiscovered passion... before it's really too late.
# posted by Xallista @ 4:49 PM 
